Texas Drivers Ed Written Practice Test

Once the brakes have been applied, about how many feet does the car which was going 70 mph travel before it comes to a stop?

1. 200 feet

2. 150 feet

3. 100 feet

4. 233 feet

The correct answer is: 233 feet

When a car is traveling at 70 mph and the brakes are applied, it requires a substantial amount of distance to come to a complete stop due to the vehicle's speed and the physics of braking. The stopping distance is influenced by various factors including the vehicle's speed, the condition of the brakes, the road surface, and the driver's reaction time. At 70 mph, the average stopping distance is determined to be around 233 feet under good conditions. This distance encompasses the reaction time, which is the time it takes for a driver to perceive a need to stop and subsequently apply the brakes, as well as the actual braking distance, which is the distance traveled while the vehicle is slowing down. The other options fall short of this distance because they do not adequately account for the combination of human reaction time and the laws of physics affecting vehicle deceleration. Understanding this stopping distance is crucial for safe driving practices, as it emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe following distance and being aware of the need to stop in various driving situations.